Berbatov Signs?

At one stage it seemed as if the 31 year-old Bulgarian was destined for a move to either Juventus or Fiorentina, but the lure of teaming up with Jol, with the two having worked together at White Hart Lane, looks to have been the deciding factor.

In doing the deal, it looks as if Jol had to break the current pay-structure at Craven Cottage with, depending upon which tabloid you pick up, Berbatov coining in anywhere between £50,000 and £100,000 a week having secured his services for a reduced transfer fee of £4 million.

Talking about the signing, Martin remarked,

"Of course you have to pay good players good money."

"But I think we have made steps over the last few years and there have been many clubs interested in Dimitar."

"They all tried to get him but we were able and capable of getting him. I tried to do something months ago and it didn`t come off."

"Now for him, it was the right moment to make a decision and he made that decision for us."

"Our fans will be happy and proud, because it is probably the biggest signing in the club`s history."

"Hopefully he can score goals and we`ve other good players around him."

We expect Dimitar to start against West Ham, at Upton Park, this Saturday lunchtime.